A burglar who was spotted breaking into a fish and chip shop in the middle of the night was found by police hiding in the flat above whilst its owner was asleep in bed.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Nigel Brannan was seen by a neighbour as he used a screwdriver to force a window at Wyke Fish Bar in Wyke at 4am on February 16 this year.

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye told the court that 49-year-old Brannan was warned by a witness who shouted that the police had been called, but was not deterred and continued with his break-in.

When police arrived they found him hiding behind a TV. The occupant of the flat was in bed and did not know there was an intruder inside until he heard banging and found Brannan had been arrested by police.

The fish shop had suffered damage estimated at £600 but nothing had been stolen.

After being arrested Brannan answered “no comment” to questions.

The break-in followed on from other incidents several months earlier after which Brannan had been released on bail.

Brannan had twice burgled the Al Halal supermarket on Great Horton Road in Bradford stealing £500 in coins on May 11, 2023, and £20 in cash a month later on June 12.

On both occasions he left the shop in disarray. He was caught on CCTV and his DNA was found at the scene.

He later pleaded guilty to four offences of burglary.

The court heard that Brannan, of Wykelea Close, Wyke, had a lengthy list of 112 convictions dating back to 1989, including 13 for burglary.

Mitigating, Abigail Langford said Brannan accepted responsibility for the burglaries and had expressed shame and remorse for the harm caused towards the owner of the flat.

His offending was attributed to a need for money.

Sentencing Brannan to a total of 28 months in prison, Mr Recorder Mark McKone KC said he took note of his “very bad” criminal record.

He said: “It is wicked thing to do: to break into someone’s home in the middle of the night when they are in bed.

“You were already on a community order at the time and that had not stopped you offending.”